Variable sheet-registering mechanism



June 15', 1926,

1,589,070 E. W. GOODWIN VARIABLE SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed April 13, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet l 4 TTORNE V June 15 1926.

E. W. GOODWIN VARIABLE SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM e Shets-Sheet 2 Filed April 13, 1922 1 NT INVENTOI? g 3 June 15 1926.

E. W. GOODWIN VARIABLE SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM led Apri l 13, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 3 June 15 1926.

E. W. GOODWIN VARIABLE SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM e; Sheets-Sheet 4 H :w. H -wfiim wwfiww UM d :mimm--- a my E R. m m

Filed April 13, 1922 INVENTOR A TTOR/VEK June 15 1926. 1,589,070

. E. W. GOODWIN VARIABLE snna'r REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed A r11 1s, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet s W/T/VfcS'SfS INVENTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 E W GOODW IN VARIABLE SHEET REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed April 13. 1922 A TTORNEY Patented June 15 1926 LSQatiti UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ED'WIN W. GOODWIN, OF SOUTH BERNICK, MAINE, A$SIGNOB TO DEXTER, FOLDER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK,

VARIABLE SHEET' REGISTERING MECHANISM.

Application filed April 13, 1922. Serial-N0. 552,378.

' This: invention relates to sheet handling,

machines for automaticallylocating successive sheets of different sizes in suitable position inthe-machine to have operations performed thereon in corresponding arrangement determined by the sizes of successive sheets. The present invention is adaptableto machines: for handling-sheets ofpaper or fabric.

As shown on the drawings, this principle of operationis adapted to a sheetqfolding machine embodying sheet folding means op erated" atuniformlyxrecurring intervals in connection with means for locatingsuccessive sheets of different sizes in position to present proportional parts of said sheets on opposite sides of the folding line imparted by said sheet folding means.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide suitable means for locating successive sheets of different sizes under the control of suitable means for detecting the sizes of the successive sheets.

Other and further objects will appear inthe specification and be pointed out in the appended claims.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings z Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine. for folding textile fabrics of different sizes which may be fed tothefolding mechanism in any order in which they happen to come to hand;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section the same, parts being. broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Figure 4 is a front elevation. on an en larged scale on one end of one of the sheet gripping mechanisms taken on itslo-wer run of the endless conveyer, parts being broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan View on an enlarged scale on the same end of said sheet gripping mechanism, parts being broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 6 is a section on the line VIVI Figure 4, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 7 is a section ontheline VIIVII Figure 4, parts being broken away and parts shown in elevation;

Figure 8 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same in the position occupied during its movementthru the lowerrun of the conveyer,,parts being broken away and parts shown in elevation;

Figure 9 is a'front elevation ofthe same, certain details beingshown in section;

Figure 10 is; a perspective view of the adjustable-cam for operatingthe sheet. gripping mechanism; parts being shown in. section;

Figure 11 .is asection on the line XF-"XI Figure 8;

. Figure 12- is a. fragmentary inside elevation of the rack andgear connection which locates the sheetgripper cam, partsebeing broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the change gear connections between the.sheet-controlled locking devices and the transverse shafts which connect the gripper cam. operating rack and the resetting device, parts being broken away;

Figure 14 is afront elevation of the same, parts being shown in section;

Figure 15.;is a horizontal sectionof' the same, parts being broken away and parts being shown in plan;

Figu-re'lG is a section on the. line XVI XVI Figure 15.;

Figure l? isa-section on the line XVII XVII Figure. 13.; V

Figure 18 is a; section on the line XVIII++ XVIII Figure;

Figure 19 is a side elevation of the sheet controlled locking device the commencement of its forward movement parts being broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 20 is a view of the same showing a more advanced stagev of its operation, parts being brokenaway and parts shown in section;

Figure 21 isv a similar side elevation, showing the positions ofthe parts at the instant the sheet detecting finger is released from under the sheet which is to be folded, parts being broken away and parts shown in section;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary transverse section of the sheet detecting finger and sheet reinforcing rods adjacent parts of the sheet gripping mechanism being shown in elevat n;

Figure 9-3 is a plan view of the resetting iii device at the moment of release, surrounding parts being broken away and parts shown in section; and

Figure is a front elevation of the same, contiguous parts being shown in section.

In U. S. Patent Yo. 1,5 l7,3-l8 for folding machines, which was granted to Earl D. liader under date of July 28, 1925, he has shown, described and claimed a folding machine in which the sheets are drawn by suitable grippers travelling a predetermined path, said grippers being provided with suitable means for releasing a sheet when it has been brought into suitable position to be folded by a folding blade. This machine was designed to accommodate only sheets of uniform size during any particular run of the machine. According to the present embodiment of my invention, the folding inachine is adapted to operate upon successive sheets of different sizes for folding said sheets in a uniform manner without manual adjustment. For this purpose, suitable means are provided under the control of each of the sheets in succession for releasing said. sheet from the grippers as soon as it reaches a predetermined position with respect to the folding mechanism and for varying the location of the folding line with respect to the sizes of the sheet portions arranged on opposite sides of the folding line. For this latter purpose, in the embodiment shown and described, I employ variable driving connections between the gripper operating cam and a sheet detecting finger which locates the edge of a sheet when said sheet has reached a predetermined position with respect to the folding line.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a feed table 1 which extends transversely of the machine and rests upon the side frames 2, is provided with a feed-off plate 3 which as shown in Figure 1 is provided with a series of notches ito accommodate a series of grippers as they move into position to grip the forward edge of a sheet supported by the feed-off plate 3. As indicated in Figure 1, a motor 5 is provided with an armature shaft 6 carrying a small pulley 7, which is connected up by an endless belt 8 to a large pulley 9 which is keyed to a transverse shaft 10. As shown in Figure 2, the transverse shaft 10 carries sprockets 11 which are keyed thereto and drive sprocket chains 12 which in turn drive sprockets 13 keyed to a shaft 14 which is journalled in the side frames 2 on an axis parallel to that of shaft 10. A spur gear 15 which is also keyed to the shaft 14L meshes with an idler 16 which serves to transmit power to a spur gear 17 keyed to a transverse shaft 18 disposed above shaft 14. Keyed to the power drive shaft 18 are laterally spaced sprockets 19 which serve to drive sprocket chains 20 which in turn drive the laterally spaced sprockets 21 keyed to a transverse shaft 22 which rotates upon an axis which is adjustable with respect to the axis of shaft 18. For this purpose, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shaft 22 has its opposite ends journalled in bearing boxes formed in slides 23 which are slidably mounted in suitable guides 2st on the opposite sine frames of the machine. The adjustable movement of each of these slides is further constrained by means of a stud 25 which passes thru a slot 26 extending longitudinally of an extension 27 formed on the slide 23. Each of said slides is also provided with a forwardly projecting boss 28 which is threaded to receive the end of a stud 29 which is freely journalled in a lug 30 mounted on the side frame.

Gripper mechanism.

As shown in top plan in Figure l and in front elevation in Figure 3, each of the side frames 2 is provided with a double series of inwardly presented pads or bosses 32. Mounted in these bosses are stud bolts 31 which have their inner ends threaded into guide rails or tracks 33 which are thus spaced from the frames 2 (see Figure 9). Each of said guide rails 33 is therefore supported by a horizontal series of these studs 31, the upper and lower guide rails forming between them a longitudinal groove or slot. Within these grooves on opposite sides of the machine run gripper carriage crossheads 38 (see Figure 5). The pins 35 together with the rollers 84; constitute elements in laterally spaced sprocket chains which drive the gripper carriages, said rollers 34. being arranged between spaced side links 36 of the chains which are guided by engagement with the rails or tracks As shown in Figures 1 and 5, there are two pins 85 which constitute pintles in the sprocket chain 20 on either side of the machine. As shown in Figure 5, one of ti pins 35 is socketed on a fir-led axis in one arm 37 of a cross-head 38, the other arm 39 of said cross-head being slotted to a depth indicated by the dotted line 40 in Figure 5 to provide a slot or guide way 'if within which is slidably adjustable the right angular end 42 of the other pin 35. By means of this device on either end of the transverse carriage, said carriage is adapted to pass around the sprockets at the front and rear of the machine. At the right end of the carriage according to Figure 1 and oppositely disposed with respect to th, cross-head 38 is a second cross-head Said crossheads 38 and 43 are rigidly connected by means of an angle iron 4 1- secured at opposite ends to the cross-heads 38 and 43 by means of bolts 45. lntermediately of the cross-heads 38 and 43, a plurality of gripper blocks 46 are secured to one leg of the angle iron by means of stud bolts of a st uare 'rioper shaft 50. ldhe left end of this shaft according to Figure 1 haslceyed thereto a bevel pinion 51. Referring now to Figures st and 5, the bevel pinion 51 meslns with a bevel segment F2. A spur gear which is oscillz'itably mounted on a stud bolt is provided with a bushing extension upon which the hub portions 56 of the bevel segment 52 is mounted. A bolt 57 extends thru the pivotal segment 52 and is threaded into the spur gear segment- 53 for rigidly connecting these elements. Meshing with thespur gear segment 53 is a reciprocable rod 58 which is provided with suitable rack teeth 59 for this purpose. As shown in liguros l, 8 and 9, a grub screw 60 is threaded into the reciprocable rod 58 and is adapted to abut against a contiguous portion of the cross-head 38 for limiting the displacement of said rack in one direction. As shown best in Figures 8, said rod or racl; 58 is slidably mounted in suitable bearings 61 and 62, the right end of said rod according to Figure 8 being provided with a cylindrical socket or chamber igidly mounted within three of the gripper blocks 4:6 is a tubular housing (S l which is tilled at one end by a plug 65 which constitutes an presented downwardly from the bearing portion 63-1 of the crosshead 38 The lower end of the stud 67 carries a cam roller 70 which is adapted to be operated by suitable cams to be hereinafter referred to for opening and closing the grippers at different points in their travel. lit will be understood from the foregoing description that whenever the cam roller 70 is displaced toward the right according to Figures 1, i, 5, and 8, the rod 58 will, be moved endwise a ainst the pressure of spring 6, causing the iOQK Rl pinion 51 to be oscillated together with the gripper shaft 50 to which it is lceyed. cured to the gripper shaft 5t and spaced thereon to corrspond to the gripper blocks do, are a series of gripper fingers i'l. each of said gripper fingers being secured by a stud bolt 72 to one side of the 'ipper shaft 50. As shown best in Figures 6 and 7. the outer ends of the gripper fingersil have deflected ends 73 which are'adzzipted to contact with a yieldable gripper jaw T l which is slidably mounted on the gi.'i].)per block ll; by means of claws 75 and which are bent around and adapted to engage the laterally ln'ojecting flanges 77 on the outer. end of the gripper block d6. ()ne of the claws 76 of the gripper T l is provided with a notch, thereby adapting said claw to slid ably engage a guide rib 78 which is secured to the block and permits the gripper it to yield under the pressure of a compr sion spring 7 9 without being dislodged from the gripper block. It will be seen therefor that whenever the gripper fingers 73 ar thrown around into position to cooperate with the yieldable gripper 74-. said 'yieldable gripper will adjust itself to the position assumed by the gripper linger 73 in such a way as to exert a yieldable sheet gripping action.

As shown in the upper right hand portion of Figure 2, a part-circular cam track 200 is arranged to extend upwardly and part way around the sprocket wheel 19. upper end of this curved cam tracl; terminates at a point approximately above the axis of shaft 18. It will be seen from this description that at the beginning of the upward movement of each of the gripper car riagcs around the shaft 18, the cam roller 70 it engages the cam track 260, opens wide the grippers. As said gripper carriage approaches the position shown in the upper right hand portion of Figure 2, the cam roller 70 as it leaves the cam track 200, permits the grippers to close upon the forward edge of a sheet presented at the edge of feed-off plate 3. Each successive sheet is thus conveyed by means of its forward edge as shown in the upper left hand portion of Figure 2. As the sheet-conveying gripper mechanism continues over its closed orbit, it passes the position occupied by the gripper mechanism shown in the lower run of its orbit in Figure and finally drops the sheet in position to be olded. ihe present embodiment of in vention contemplates a periodically opera-ted folding blade of the type shown in the above identified patent of Earl D. Raider. In view of the fact that this folding blade falls and rises at regularly recurring intervals or periods and since the front-edge grippers travel over their closed orbit at a uniformly sustained speed, said period or interval is sufficiently large to permit the largest sized sheet which is to be folded in the machine. to be placed and come to restin position to be foldcch before the folding blade falls. For this purpose, folder blade rock shaft 244i (see Figure 2), is cscillatably mounted in suitable bearings in the side frames of he machine, the periodic oscillation being in'iparted thereto by a cam movement (not shown) of infiilar construction to that shown in the above identities patent of Earl The l). Radcr. eyed to the rock shaft 2 1 1, are laterally soaced arms 2 which carry at their outer ends a curved folder blade 2-16. As shown 111 the lower right hand portion oli less chains Figure :2, the laterally spaced end 12, 12, carry a gripper mecha. need not be described in detail since it substantially "imilar to that already described above and corresponding parts therein have been indicated by the same rei crence characters. As this gripper mechanism begins its upward movnrent around the right hand s rockets 13, its gripper fin- '71 are thrown into extreme open position by means of a cam track 2&7. Said cam track extends upwardly around the sprockets 13 and tmj'wardly above the uoper run of the endl es chains 12 and terminates adjacent to the folder blade 24:6 in its lowermost position. It will be understood from this description that the cam (hidden behind the gripper bloct of (Figure 2) is displaced by its with cam track 2&7 and holds gripper jaws open until the grin nisin reaches a suitable position the folded edge of a sheet l1 blade 2 16 in depressed position. tn gripper mechanism reaches this position, cam roller leaves the cam track El-7 and permits the grippers to close on the folded edge of the sheet tor conveflng it away preparatory to any further operation it may be desired to perform upon it. For the same of convenience in description. the mechanism for receiving the folded sheet from the GTE'QJPEY controlling mechanism.

ln order to provide suitable means for opening the grippers at the predeterir'ned point in their travel for releasing a sheet to be operated upon by the folding blade a cam block (see Figures 9 and 10) is rigidly united to a block 81 wiiich is secured by bolts 82 to a reciprocal bar 83 pr vided with rack teeth 8%. The cam block 80 when not positively locked, in the manner to be hereinafter pointed out is adapted to slide along the lower guide rail or track bar until it reaches a variable position depending upon the size of the sheet in which position it is positively locked and thus adapted to throw the cam roller 70 and to operate the grippers to release the sheet. For this purpose, the spring is made sufliciently still to resist the drag of rack and tie parts driven thereby, and only yields to ride over the cam 80 when said cam becomes positively locked. ll hen tiiis occurs the grippers are opened to release the sheet in position to be folded. As shown in Figure 12, the forward end of rack bar 83 inter- Inesnes with a spur gear 85 which is keyed to a transverse shaft 86. The shaft 86 is journalled 11] one end in the left hand side f'ame 2 according to Figure 1 the right end of said snaittbeing journalled in a bracket 87. As shown in Figure 18, the bracket 87 is supported by a transverse bar 88, supported at opposite ends by the side frames 2. As shown in igure 14:, the bracket 87 is mounton a common base 93 with a second bracket 91-, provided with a bearing boss 95 within which the shaft is journalled. Freely journalled on the shaft 86 is a spur gear 90 which meshes with a rack bar 107 for operating the variable control mechanism so as to determine the positions of the shafts with respect to the "folding blade for successive sheets of different sizes. A spur get 07 is connected by a spline or feather 98 to adapt it to partake of the rotary movement of the shaft 86 while at the same time adapting it to be thrown into and out of clutc -iing engagement with the spur gear 96, the gear J7 for this purpose being provided with a latera 1y rejecting spur 98 which is adapted to engage in a suitable hole or socket 99 in the hub portion of the gear 90. Suitable means for moving the gear 97 into and out oi clutching enga einent with the gear 96 are provided as follows. A rod 100 arries on its outer end a hand grip 101, whereby it may be slidably adjusted within the bracket 87. Said rod is provided with a lug 102 which proj cts into a circumferential groove 103 to adapt the rod 100 to impart an axial adjustment to the gear 97. An offset (tension 104i is provided on its inner end with a lug 105 which is so disposed with reference to a. notch 100 formed in the lower edge or reciprocable bar 107 that the rod 100 is permitted to shift the gear 97 into and out of engagement with gear 98 only when the rack bar 107 is in position to locate the notch 10b in the path or movement or lug 105. lVhen the rack bar 107 is in this position, the entire gripper controlling mecha nism is in a position which is hereinafter rel'forred to as the initial position of the mechanism.

As shown in Figure 1-3, the gear 97 has been moved out of engagement with the gear 96 and is in mesh with a gear 108 which is keyed to a transverse shaft 109, this shalt being journalled in the brackets 87 and 9 1-. Another gear 110 which is keyed to the shaft 109, is permanently in mesh with the broad lace gear which is loosely journalled upon shaft 86. For this purpose, the gear 06 is provided with a sleeve or expanded hub portion 111 which turns freely in the bearing bracket 9% and is provided with a collar 112 which holds it against axial displacement. It is to be noted in connection with the present embodiment of my invention, that the by means of bolts 116.

113 as shown best in Figure 3, said pinion being in mesh with a reciprocable raclr 114. As shown in Figures 23 and '24, the rack 114 has its inner end secured-to a plate 115, said plate being secured to the rack 114 Integral with the plate 115 is a'bearing lug 117 which carries a stud or pivot 118upon whiclr'rsloscillatably mounted a latch 119 provided with a hook shaped end 120. The latch 119 is adapted to yieldably embrace a roller 121 ,journalled upon a pin 122 which depends from the gripper cross-head 123. Said gripper cross-head is arranged at the opposite end of the gripper mechanism with respect to the gripper cross-head 38.;A normaltendency to hold the latch 1 19in clutching engagement with the roller 121 is imparted by thecompression spring 124 which 1s 1nterposed between the plate 115 and'anv arm 125 carried by the latch 119. AiliLllCll-lGlGZtSG arm 126 carries a depending pin 127 suitably arranged to be engaged by oneof the spaced folding bars 128 whenever the sheet mov ng grippers reach a predetermined positlon wlth respect thereto.

Sheet releasing mechanism.

By'referring to Figures 19,. 20 and 21,it

willbeseen that-the reciprocable rack 107 longitudinally of a latch bar130, said latch bar being rigidly suspended from a crossbar 131, by means of a depending arm 132. The cross-bar 131 isrigidly connected to the side frames of the machine. It will be seen that the frame 129 carries a transverse pivot 133 upon which is mounted an oscillatory sheet detecting finger 134. Connected to said finger 134, is a leaf spring 135, its forward end bearing against an adjustable abutment 136 so that in order to depress the finger 134 as shown in Figures 19 and 20, said spring must be flexed in a" way that places it under stress and hGIICBzPI'GPtITGS it to throw the detecting finger as soon as it is released. As shown in Figure 22, suitable means for stiffening the sheet. S for holding the linger 134, in depressedposition,may be provided inthe formof laterally spaced rods or supports 137, suflicient space being provided therebetween to :permit said finger to 7 swing upwardly whenlreleased. A" second pivot 138 which ismmou-nted inthe frame 129, serves to pivot. a dog 139 which=is provided with a detent 1 1 2 and is acted upon by a compression spring 1140, said detent "being adapted to be engaged ibya shoulder 1 43 on: the "finger 134, for holding. tlle do'g. 139 an ay ffrom, :latch. bar 13.0; i The; dog it provided with an upwardlypresented post 144 which' is adapted to bear upwardly against aleaf spring 135, and this causes the tip of the detecting linger 134 to be depressed to clear the, pathof thesheet during t'heearly portion of its forward movement when the dog 139 is sliding along the higher smooth portion 130 of the upper edge of the latch bar 130. 1 During this movement, the advance edge of sheet Spasses over the depressed tip cndvof finger 135- and holds'saidzfingerdepressed after the sliding contact of dog 135 on the smooth upperedge 130 has come to an end. After the post 144 has thusreleased the finger 134, the advancing sheet is the only instrumentality which holds the finger in depressed positionrReferring more bar 130. Thisactioninterrupts the forward movement-of the rack bar 1O7 and thusterminates the rearward movementof the rack bar 83. As a result the gripper operating cam SOis automatically located for releasing the sheet when it reaches a predetermined arrangement with respect to the line 'upon which it is to be folded. The operation of the machine will now be readilyunderstood and briefly related is as follows.

Operation.

It has been observedthat in the present embodiment of my invention, the gear 110 has the same number of teeth as the pinion 96, whereas the pinion 108 has one halfthe :number of teeth that the spur gear 97 provided with. It will also be understood that the spur'ge ar 97-may be in clutching engagement with the spur gear 190as/shown in Figure 14 or'itmay be removed from engagement with the gear-96 and in mesh with the pinion 108. Inthe forn'ier ease, when the cam roller u on the rea rward'l moving gripper carriage comes into contact with the cam 80, said cam will be carried along thereby and will imparta similar movement to the 'raclr' 83. This-in turn imparts a rotarymovement to pinion shaft 86, and

gear 97 which transmits f its anotiorr diirec tly :to..'gear 96. Inst-his way,.a -f rwardmove- .ment 1S imparted to rack b'ar 107 wlnchas equal 'zin "extent to that of ca m 80. At the same time, tlre -spurtgear 11.02.1 e t dnb the spi r igear -iifi to nnpart anopposrte ruat.

tion to the shaft 109 and thus serves to impart a forward movement to the rack bar 114 which corresponds in direction and extent to the forward movement of the rack bar 107. As the latch 119' is moved forwardly according to Figures 1 and 23, it is brought into position to be connected up with the gripper mechanisn'i which follows that by which it has been displaced. lhe several parts are thus returned to their proper initial position determined by their location at the instant the latch 119 is released by the arm 126 coming into engagement with the folding bar 128. It is to be observed that each gripper carria e during its movement over the lower run of its travel and as it approaches the line of fold, is operating the resetting device to return the mechanism to its initial position referred to above. Such initial posit on is established the head of the sheet passes the line of fold at which time the tip of t e sheet detecting finger 184 starts from the inc of fold. At the san'ie time, the cam 80 which movable along the guide rails or L achs 33 the opposite end of the gripper carrii. e, is engaged by the cam roller on that end of the gripper carriage. It will be seen therefore that as the cam is being moved by the cam roller 70 in one direction from the line of fold, the detecting linger is moving under the sheet in the opposite direction from the line of fold. Furthermore, just as soon as the tip of detecting finger 13d emerges from the tail of said sheet it is permitted to move n1 wardly and thereby releases the dog 139 which drops into ment with the latch bar 1%). This action positively locks the mechanism and stops the cam 80 in position, causing it to operate the gripper mechanism for releasing the sheet which is thus positioned in the desired arrangen'ient with respect to the line of fold. In this instance, the head and tail enns of the sheet will be equally distant from the line of fold. in the latter case the spur gear 9'? will impart to gear 168 a motion twice great as its own which will be transmitted thru gears 11.0 and 96 to the rack bar 10?, thereby giving the latter twice as great a displacement as that of com 80. In consequence the sheet will be released that instant when only one-third of its length has been carried b-yond the folding line and otl'iirds-remain on the other side.

Claims:

1. In a machine for folding sheets, the combination with sheet folding means operating at regular recurring intervals, of auto matic means controlled by the length of a sheet for locating said sheet with respect to said sheet folding means.

9 In a sheet folding machine, periodically operated sheet-folding means, and automatically operated means fer-locating successive sheets of different sizes with respect to said sheet folding means with one edge of each sheet in a predetermined position on one side of the folding line of said sheet folding means and with the opposite edge of said sheet in a predetermined position on the other side of said folding line.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combii ion of hcet folding means operating at re arly recurring interrals, ling sheet gripper means for convey sheet into position to be folded by sift. folding means, means for detecting the pres ence of one edge of a sheet in a predetermined position on one side of the folding line of said sheet folding means, and means under the control of said detecting means for operating said sheet gripper means to release said sheet with its opposite edge in a predetermined position on the other side of said folding line.

4;. In a sheet folding machine, sheet folding means operating at regularly recurring intervals, means for conveying sheets into position to be folded by said sheet folding means, means controlled by the lengths of said sheets for detecting the presence of cor responding edges of successive sheets of different lengths in preoetermined positions with respect to the folding line of said sheet folding means, and means under the control of said detecting means for operating said sheet conveying means to release successive sheets with their corresponding ends disposed at distances from the folding line COFlBSPODt: ing to the respective lengths of said sheets.

In a sheet folding machine, sheet folding means operating along a fixed folding line, travelling sheet gripper means for conveying successive sheets of different lengths into position to be folded by said sheet folding means, means for detecting the pre ence of corresponding edges of successive sheets in predetermined positions on one side of said fixed folding line, said positions corresponding respectively to the lengths of said sheets, and means under the control of said detecting means for operating said sheet gri er means to release said sheets.

6. The combination with periodically operated sheet folding means, of automatic means for locating the lines of folding on successive sheets of different sizes operated upon by said sheet folding means.

7. The combination with sheet folding means, of travelling sheet feeding grippers for feeding succe re sheets of different into position to be folded by said sheet folding means, and means controlled by the sizes of successive sheets for auton'iatically releasing them from said sheet feeding grippers and permitting them to come to rest in sheet folding position.

8. The combination with periodically op- .a sh et f ld ng near- Qtm aes f r ariably locating successive sheets of different sizes with respectto. a fixed line along which said folding means is adapted to operate.

9. .The combination with sheet folding means adapted to fold sheets along a predetermined line in the path of feed of. sheets to be folded, of sheet conveying means adapted to convey a sheet across said line of folding and means adapting said conveying means to deposit sheets in different positions with respect to said foldingline.

10. In a sheet folding machine, a travelling gripper, sheet folding means, and means for operating said gripper in variable pc itions With respect to said sheet folding means for predetermining the extent of the different portions of said sheet to be ar-' rangedon opposite sides of the line along which said sheet is toibe fol led.

11. The combination with sheet folding means, of means for variably locating a sheet with respectnto the'line along which said (folding meansis adapted to operate, said loing, and means adapting said conveying means to deposit sheetsin different positions with respectto said folding line, said sheet conveying means being under the control of a sheet conveyed thereby.

1-3. In a sheet folding machine, a travelling gripper,slieet folding means, and means for operating said gripper in variable positions with respect to said sheet folding means for predetermining the extent of the different portions of said sheet to be arranged on opposite sides of the line along which said sheet is to be folded,,sa-id gripper operating means beingunder the control of a sheet conveyed by said gripper.

14:. In, a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a travelling ..seribed,.n1eans for folding a sheet along 1P s sie eee iiiie she eed i asrirr r she t ar ses nee-tease mechanism for presenting a sheet in suitable position to be folded along said folding line, and a sheet controlled device adapted to operate said gripper mechanism to locate pre determined portions of said sheet on opposite sides of said folding line.

17. In a machine of the character described, means for folding a sheet on a predetermined ine, sheet gripper mechanism for conveying a sheet into position to be folded thereby, a cam movable into and out of predetermined positions to ogerate said gripper mechanism, said cam being adapted to be moved into operative position by means of said gripper mechanism, and means for locking said cam in operative position, said locking means being normally held inoperative by a sheet until it reaches predetermined position.

18. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, aplurality of travelling gripper mechanisms for moving successive sheets into position to be folded by said sheet folding means, a cam disposed in the path of said gripper mechanism and movable thereby into position to operate said gripping mecl'ianisms, sheet controlled means for locking said cam in operative position With respect to one sheet gripper mechanismand means disposed in the path of another gripper mechanism for" returning saidcam to a position to be engaged by a succeeding gripper mechanism.

19. The combination with periodically operated sheet folding means, of means for automatically locating the folding lines on successive sheets of different sizes to be operated upon by said sheet folding means, said locating means bein adapted to vary the proportional parts or said sheets to be arranged on opposite sides of the folding line.

20. The combination with sheet folding neans, of sheet controlled means for locat ing successive sheets of difiierent sizes to arrange predetermined portions of each sheet on opposite sides of the line of fold imparted by said folding means, and means for changing the relative proportionsbetween the portions of each sheet on opposite sides of the folding line.

21. The combination .with sheet folding means, of a plurality of sheet grip-per mechanisms travelling in a suitable path to prosentsuccessive sheets to said folding means, means for operating the grippers of successive sheet gripper mechanisms to release the successive sl eetswith predetermined per tions thereof on opposite sides of the folding line imparted by said folding means, said sheet gripper operating means being controlledby the successive sheets which are conveyed by said sheet gripper nechanisms.

22. In a machine of the character described, sheet fol'ding means, a travelling a. s pp ere-at ing cam movable into and out of position to operate said grip-oer mechanism for re leasing a sheet, and sheet controlled means for determining the operating position of said cam.

23. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a travelling sheet gripper mechanism, a cam in the path of said sheet gripper mechanism, and movable thereby, said cam being adapted \vhen locked against movement to operate said gripper mechanism, a sheet detecting finger and means under the control of said sheet detecting finger for locking said cam against iovement when a sheet reaches a position to be folded by said sheet folding means.

in a i l nachine of the character tresheet folding means, a sheet gripper nice ianism movable into and out of position to present a sheet to said sheet folding means, a gripper operating cam mounted in the path of said sheet gripper mechanism, and adtoted to be m ved thereby, a sheet detecting linger mounted in the path of a sheet conveyed by iid sheet gripper mechanism, and means under the control of said sheet det cting linger for locating said cam in position to operate said gripper mechanism.

In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a travelling sheet gripper mechanism, a cam moved by said gripper mechanism, said cam being adapted when locked against movement to operate said gripper mechanism, sheet controlled means for locking said cam against movement, and means for returning said cam to an initial position from Which it was displaced by the movement of said gripper mechanism.

26. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, sheet gripper mechanism movable into and out of position to present a sheet to said sheet folding means, a cam adjustably mounted in the path of said sheet gripper mechanism, a rack bar connected to said cam, a shaft geared to said raclr bar, a sheet detecting finger mounted in the path of a sheet conveyed by said sheet gripper mechanism, antl means under the control of said sheet detecting finger for locating said cam to release a sheet in position to be folded by said sheet folding mean In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carmovable in a predetermined path, a :ransverse series of sheet gripper elements mounted on said carriage, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carriage, a cam slidably mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapt-ed to be displaced by said gripper carriage to a position to operate the latter when the sheet has been conveyed into a predetermined posi 911 with r p t a d heet folding means, means mounted in the path of the other end of said carriage and op-eratably connected to said cam for returning said cam to initial position from a previous operation, and sheet controlled means for pro: determining the position of said cam for re leasing said sheet.

28. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movab c in predetermined path, a transverse series of sheet gripping elements mounted on said carriage, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carriag a cam slidably mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapted to be displaced by said gripper mechanism to a position to operate the latter when the sheet has been conveyed into a predetermined position with respect to said sheet folding i'neans, sheet controlled means for predetermining the position of said cam for releasing said sheet, and means for o eratively connecting said com and sheet controlled means, including change gears for varying the operation of said sheet controlled means with respect to said cam.

29.111 a machine of the character descri ed, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetermined path, a

is transverse series of sheet gripping elements mounted on said carriage, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carri 'c, a cam slit ably mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapted to b dis flaeed by said gripper mechanism to a position to operate the latter when the sheet has been conveyed into a predetermined position with respect to said sheet folding means, a resetting device slidably mounted in the path of the other end of said carriage, means for oi-eratably connecting said cam and resetting device, and sheet controlled means for predetermining the position of said cam for releasing said sheet, said resetting device being provided with means for releasably engaging the sheet gripper carriage for returning the cam to initial position.

30. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetermined path, a transverse series of sheet gripping elements mounted on said carriage, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carriage, a cam slidably mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapted to be displaced by said gripper mechanism to a position to operate the latter when the sheet has been conveyed into a predetermined position with espectto said sheet folding means, and-sheet controlled means for predetermining the position of said cam for releasing said sheet, said sheet controlled means comprising a rack bar movably con is s id am, a a h bar extend g n lit) 4 3 a p xtaposition thereto, a dog pivotally connected to said naclr bar, and adapted to engage said latch bar, and a sheet controlled finger for controlling the ope-rations of said dog. Y

31". In a machine of the character described, side frames, a sheet gripper carriage having opposite ends slidably' mounted insaid side frames, racks. reciprocably mounted in said side frames, canr connected to one of said racks and disposed in the path of one endof said carriage, a latch connected tothe-other one ofsaid racks for releasably connecting said rack to the other end of said carriage, transverse shafts geared together and respectively to said racks, an inter-mediate rack connected to said. cam thru one 7 of sald transverse shafts,

means for locking saidintermediaterackto a rigid portion of the machine, and a sheet.

detecting finger for controlling the operation of said lockingmeansz 32. In' a machine of the character de: scribed, side frames, a sheet gripper carriage having opposite ends slidabl' y mounted in said side frames, racks reciproc'ably mount.-

ed in said side frames, a cam connected to one of said racks and disposed 1n: the. patlr of gripper bearing means on: one end of said carriage, a latch connected to the other of said racksfor-releasably connecting said.

rack to the other end of said carriage, transverse shafts geared respectively to said.

racks, an intermediate rackv having means for. locking it to a rigid portion of the machine, a sheet detecting linger for. controlling the operation of said locking means,

gears of different sizes keyed to one of. said shafts, a gear loosely jcurnalled on the other of said shafts and having meshing engage ment with said intermediate rack and one means for gripping the folded edge of a.

sheet, a folder'blade suitably mounted tocooperate with said gripping means for folds ing a sheet while at the same time present.-

ing the folded edge of" said: sheet to said gripping means, and means forvaria'bly locating successive sheets of different sizes with respect to said folding means.

3 1;. In a machine of the character described, a receiving conveyer provided with means for gripping the folded; edge of a sheet, a folder blade suitably mounted to cooperate with saidgripping means forfolding a sheet while at the same time present.- ing the folded edge of: said sheet to said gripping means, and means forlocating successive sheets of different sizes with respect tions of said sheets on opposite sides of the folding blade.

35; In a n'i'achine of the character described, a folding blade, means for conveying successive sheets of different sizes into position with predetermined portions; of each sheet on: opposite sidesiof' said folding blade, and sheet. gripping means movable into position to cooperate with said folding blade for folding said sheet. and movable out of suchposition with the folded edge off the sheet gripped thereby.

86. In amachine of the character described, sheet gripping means movable over a predetermined path, sheet controlled means foroperating said sheet gripping means' to release successive sheets of different sizes with predetermined portions of the sheets located. with respect to the folding: line, other sheet gripping means'movable over a' predetermined path, and a folding bladecooperating with said sheet gripping, means. for folding successive sheets.

37. In a machine of the character described, sheet gripping means movable" over a predetermined path, sheet controlled means for operating said sheet gripping means torelease successive sheets ofdifferent sizes with predetermined portions-of the sheets located with respect to a'folding line, other sheet gripping means movable over a predetermined path, and a folding-blade mounted on a fixed axis and cooperating: with said sheetgripping means in succession for folding sheets.

38. In a machine of the character described, side: frames, a sheetgripper carriage having opposite ends slidably mount-- ed in said side frames, racks reciprocably mounted insaid side frames, a cam connected to one of said racks and disposed in the path ofon'eend of said carriage, a latch connected to the other of said racks for releasably engaging the other end of said carriage, transverse shafts geared respectively to said racks, an intermediate rack having geared connections with said shafts, means for locking said intermediate rack to: a rigid portion of the machine, a sheet detecting finger for controlling the operation of said locking means, gears of different sizes'keyed to one of said shafts, a gearloosely journalled on the other of said shafts and having meshing engagement with said interme diate rack and one' of the different sized gears, a fourth gear having splined connection with the other shaft and provided with means adapting it in. one position to be. connected to said loosely ournalled. gear and in another position to be placed in mesh with one of said different sized: gears, and means for adjusting the position of said splined gear.

39. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, travelling gripper carriages provided with releasable grippers, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carriage, and means movable by the movements of said carriages into and out of position to operate said grippers.

to. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetermined path, a transverse series of sheet gripper elements mounted on said carriage, a cam mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapted to be displaced thereby to a position in Which it is adapted to operate the sheet gripper elements, and sheet controlled means for predetermining the position of said cam for releasing said sheet.

41. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a plurality of gripper carriages movable in a predetermined path, releasable grippers carried by said carriages, a cam for operating said grippers, said cam being movably mounted in the path of said carriages, sheet controlled means for interrupting the displacement of said cam and for adapting it to operate said grippers, and means mounted in the path of another f said carriages, for returning said cam to initial position.

42.111 a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetermined path, sheet gripping means mounted on said carriage, a cam slidably mounted in the path of said carriage, said cam being adapted to be displaced by said carriage, sheet controlled means for interrupting the movement of said cam, said cam being adapted to release said sheet gripping means, and means disposed in the path of another gripper car- .riage and operatably connected to said cam for returning said cam to initial position.

43.111 a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, gripper carriages movable in a predetermined path, sheet grippers mounted on said carriages, a cam slidably mounted in the path of said carriages and adapted to be displaced thereby to a position in which it is adapted to operate the grippers, a resetting device slidably mounted Within the path of said carriages, means for operatably connecting said cam and resetting device, and sheet con trolled means for predetermining the position of said cam for releasing said sheet, each of said carriages being adapted to operate said resetting device for returning said earn to initial positioh and immediately thereafter to move said cam to sheet releasing position under the control of said sheet controlled means.

44.111 a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetermined path, a

transverse series of sheet gripping element's mounted on said carriage, tracks or guides for the opposite ends of said carriage, a cam slidably mounted in the path of one end of said carriage, said cam being adapted to be displaced by said gripper carriage to a position to operate the latter, a sheet detecting finger movably mounted in the path, of sheets conveyed by said carriage, and means for operatably connecting said cam and detecting finger for locating said cam for releasing sheets from said sleet gripping elements.

45. In a machine of the character tescribed, sheet folding means, a gripper carriage movable in a predetern'iined path, a gripper mounted on said carriage, a cam for operating said gripper, said cam being adapted to be displaced by said carriage to a position to operate the gripper When the sheet has been conveyed into a predetermined position With respect to said sheet folding means, a locking device provided With sheet detecting means arranged in the path of sheets conveyed by said carriage, and means including change gears for connecting said cam and locking device.

46. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, gripper mechanism movable in a predetermined path, gripper operating means movable into operating position for each sheet folding operation, and sheet control ed means for predetermining the position of said gripper operating means for releasing said sheet, said sheet controlled means comprising a rack bar movable With said gripper operating means, a latch bar extending in juxtaposition thereto, a latch pivotally connected to said rack bar and adapted to engage said latch bar, and a sheet controlled finger for controlling the operation of said latch depending upon the sizes of successive sheets to be folded.

47. In a machine of the character de scribed, sheet folding means, a gripper movable in a predetermined path, means for operating said gripper at one stage of its movement to grip a sheet, and sheet controlled means for opening said gripper at another stage of its movement to release said sheet in position to be folded, said sheet controlled means including a movable latch, a latch bar along which said latch moves, and a sheet controlled finger for controlling the operation of said latch.

48.111 a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, a carriage movable in a predetermined path, gripper mechanism mounted on said carriage, a cam mounted in the path of said carriage and adapted to be displaced thereby into position in which it is adapted to operate said gripper mechanism, and sheet controlled means for predetermining the position of said: cam for releasing said sheet, said sheet controlled means comprising a rack bar movable With said cam, a latch bar extending in juxtaposition thereto, a latch pivotally connected to said rack bar and adapted to engage saidlatch bar, and a sheet controlled finger for controlling the operation of, said latch.

49. In a machine of the character described, side. frames, sheet giipper mechanism movably mounted in said side frames, a rack reciprocably mounted, in one of said side frames, gripper operating means con nected to said rack, a transverse shaft geared to said rack, a second rack geared to said shaft, means for locking said second rack to a rigid portion of the machine, and a sheet detecting finger for controlling the operation of said locking'means.

50. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, side frames, a sheet gripper carriage having opposite er-ds movably supported in said side frames, racks slidably mounted in said side frames respectively, a cam connected to one of said racks and disposed in the path of one end of said carriage, a latch connected to the other one of said racks for releasably connecting said rack to the other end of said carriage, transverse shafts geared respectively to said racks, geared connections connecting said shafts, and a sheet controlled finger for interrupting the i'novements of said racks in variable positions depending upon the sizes of the sheets fed to said sheet folding means.

51. In a machine of the character described, side frames, sheet gripper mechanism slidably mounted in said side frames, a rack reciprocably mounted in one of said side frames, means operated by said rack for opening the gripper mechanism, an intern'iediate rack, means for locking said intermediate rack to a rigid portion of the machine, a sheet detecting finger for controlling the operation of said locking means, and means including change gears for connecting said racks in different displacement ratios.

52. In a machine of the character described, side frames, a sheet gripper carriage having opposite ends slidably mounted in said side frames, racks reciprocably mounted in said side frames, a cam connected to one of said racks and disposed in the path of one end of said carriage, a latch connected to the other one of said racks for releasably connecting said rack to the other end of said carriage, transverse shafts geared respectively to said racks, and to each other, an intermediate rack having geared connections with said shafts. means for locking said intermediate rack to a rigid portion of the machine, and a sheet detecting finger for,

controlling the operation of said locking means.

58. In a machine of the character de scribed, sheet detecting means adapted to become operative. when a sheet reaches a predetermined position with respect to its size, means for feeding successive sheets of different sizes into said position, and means controlled by the sizes of successive sheets for releasing said sheet from said feeding means as they successively reach said position.

54:. Mechanism for positioning successive sheets of different sizes With respect to a predetermined line of fold and with the same proportional parts of each sheet arranged on opposite sides of said line, said mechanism comprising releasable gripper mechanism for conveying successive sheets into position With respect to said line, and means controlled by the sizes of successive sheets for releasing said gripper mechanism.

55. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means operating at regularly recurring periods and adapted to operate upon the same relative portions of successive sheets of different sizes, and means controlled by the sizes of successive sheets for similarly locating successive sheets with respect to said sheet folding means.

56. In a machine of the character described, periodically operated sheet folding means, means automatically contro-lled by the lengths of successive sheets of different lengths for determining the proportional parts of said sheets to be arranged on opposite sides of the folding line of said sheet folding means, and means for varying the proportions of each sheet to be arranged on opposite sides of the folding line.

57. The combination With sheet folding means, of travelling sheet feeding grippers for moving successive sheets of different sizes into position With respect to a fixed folding line, and automatic means for operating said grippers at predetermined times depending upon the sizes of successive sheets to release said sheets in positionto be folded along said fixed folding line.

58. The combination With sheet folding means, of sheet conveying means, and automatic means for operating said sheet conveying means to deposit successive sheets of different sizes in position to be folded by said sheet folding means.

59. In a sheet folding machine, a travelling gripper, sheet folding means operating upon a predetermined line of fold, and automatic means for operating said gripper in ariable positions with respect to said folding line for locating the lines of folding on successive sheets of different sizes.

(30. The combination with sheet folding means, of a plurality of sheet gripper mech anisms movable past said sheet folding means, and automatic. means for variably operating said sheet gripper mechanisms for locating the lines of folding on successive sheets of different sizes Which are moved respectively by said gripper mechanisms.

61.111 a machine of the character dcscribed a sheet folding blade moving over a fixed path, automatic means for locating the lines of folding on successive sheets of different sizes, and folded edge grippers movable into and out of position to receive the folded edges of successive sheets as they are presented by said folding blade.

62. In a machine of the character described, sheet folding means, sheet gripping 15 means movable over a predetermined path, automatic means for operating said sheet gripping means to release successive sheets of different sizes in position to be folded by said sheet folding means, other sheet gz'ripping means movable over a 1nedetermined path for receiving the folded edges of said sheets and conveying said folded sheets away from said sheet folding means.

EDWIN V. GOODXVIN. 

